A group of people, including two docs and six nurses, from the greater Boston area, Gadna, Woosta, West Minny and others, recently returned to the states. They were here to conduct clinics in several locations, many of which were far from any definitive care. Some patients had never set foot in a clinic. The way it worked was: there was an intake table, usually staffed by two people, each with excellent translators, the patients each got their vitals taken, weighed, then off to the diagnostic center, four stations, two with docs and two with nurses, then they went, with their intake sheet, complete with diagnosis and treatment, to the pharmacy, and a fairly complete pharmacy it was, drugs on wheels, their order was filled along with soap, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, vitamins, and suckers for the youngsters, they then went to see two more nurses with translators to explain to the patients what and how to take their meds, then off they went.
This is a great start, but it doesn't offer any continuity of care. And THAT is the point of building the clinic and surgical center in Les Ceyes, to offer follow-up care to these wonderful people. For many people, when their medicines are gone their condition will revert, and THAT is really unacceptable.
We also went out into the true middle of nowhere to see the orphans we are care taking of. They are now living under a big tarp, having been evicted from their home by the Department of Health for substandard living conditions. They did a musical/dance performance that was nothing short of amazing. The music was provided by a lone trumpet, a bass drum and a snare drum, played with two sticks. Their ages ranged from four to eighteen. After the performance every child was looked at and treated accordingly.
I am trying to track down some transitional housing kits, which are in evidence all over the country since the earthquake, www.facebook.com and put them up on the property of Forward in Health. We can get by with two or three, and hopefully we obtain them before it starts raining too much more. They will be living in a mud puddle if we don't. We'll see.......
The crew of people were great, we got along like extended family. We ate and played well together, laughed a lot. The docs and nurses had about two hundred years of experience between them, an incredible level of competency. It was a privilege working with them.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Back
We left Les Cayes yesterday morning at 7, arrived about 40 minutes later in Port au Prince. Two props, two pilots (Latin), probably 20 passengers. Beautiful mountains and farmland. Farms that are so isolated, no roads, just trails, a long way to market, fertile, verdant land. Listening to Adele, her beautiful voice wrapping around deep sentiments. After landing we tried to rush to the airport in time to catch an 8:50 to Fort Lauhttp://halinhaiti.blogspot.com/derdale, fat chance, so we waited for the 3:45, which was late of course. A group of people sat with us from Atlanta. They were part of a tech school in Les Cayes, which is exactly what the boys at Espwa need when they finish school, to learn a trade and be able to make a decent living with dignity, which is what we all want, no? Turns out flying was a lucky move because manifestations (demonstrations) were starting, not for the anticipated announcement of the election results, but the sharp increases in gas prices. Whew, made it.
It's only about a two hour flight from PAP to FLL , but we were in the air a long time, turns out we had to land in Miami, take a bus to FLL. All said and done the day ended at midnight. Fort Lauderdale is humid and humbling, seen better days. Now I feel silly for writing all this, heck I'm in Haiti anymore, kind of in the hinterland. Ok, bye, bye
It's only about a two hour flight from PAP to FLL , but we were in the air a long time, turns out we had to land in Miami, take a bus to FLL. All said and done the day ended at midnight. Fort Lauderdale is humid and humbling, seen better days. Now I feel silly for writing all this, heck I'm in Haiti anymore, kind of in the hinterland. Ok, bye, bye
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Coastal Cruise
Today was a most excellent day. I met Evens and Zico out on the main road at nine. They thought one of them was going to drive my motorcycle, HELL no. We headed west toward the beach for a few miles then headed north on a dirt road. The road was like a river bottom full of softball-sized round rocks. Sometimes there are trails, sometimes not, sometimes they create a quicksand effect, but you always have to drive slow and cautiously on a motorcycle. Plus, it was so dusty, at times I had to slow to a crawl. We were headed out to place that we could have a clinic for a day. I think it was a French run church. Not really sure of the particulars, except they agreed and we are doing it for a day. They will provide lunch and let the community know to come that day. It took about an hour to get there, and on the way I gave a woman a ride, just her and I on a dusty road with land mines everywhere. I was a little nervous, but getting the hang of driving a motorcycle in Haiti. Most people have entire families on their bikes.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
Coastal Cruise
Today was a most excellent day. I met Evens and Zico out on the main road at nine. They thought one of them was going to drive my motorcycle, HELL no. We headed west toward the beach for a few miles then headed north on a dirt road. The road was like a river bottom full of softball-sized round rocks. Sometimes there are trails, sometimes not, sometimes they create a quicksand effect, but you always have to drive slow and cautiously on a motorcycle. Plus, it was so dusty, at times I had to slow to a crawl. We were headed out to place that we could have a clinic for a day. I think it was a French run church. Not really sure of the particulars, except they agreed and we are doing it for a day. They will provide lunch and let the community know to come that day. It took about an hour to get there, and on the way I gave a woman a ride, just her and I on a dusty road with land mines everywhere. I was a little nervous, but getting the hang of driving a motorcycle in Haiti. Most people have entire families on their bikes.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
Coastal Cruise
Today was a most excellent day. I met Evens and Zico out on the main road at nine. They thought one of them was going to drive my motorcycle, HELL no. We headed west toward the beach for a few miles then headed north on a dirt road. The road was like a river bottom full of softball-sized round rocks. Sometimes there are trails, sometimes not, sometimes they create a quicksand effect, but you always have to drive slow and cautiously on a motorcycle. Plus, it was so dusty, at times I had to slow to a crawl. We were headed out to place that we could have a clinic for a day. I think it was a French run church. Not really sure of the particulars, except they agreed and we are doing it for a day. They will provide lunch and let the community know to come that day. It took about an hour to get there, and on the way I gave a woman a ride, just her and I on a dusty road with land mines everywhere. I was a little nervous, but getting the hang of driving a motorcycle in Haiti. Most people have entire families on their bikes.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
Today was a most excellent day. I met Evens and Zico out on the main road at nine. They thought one of them was going to drive my motorcycle, HELL no. We headed west toward the beach for a few miles then headed north on a dirt road. The road was like a river bottom full of softball-sized round rocks. Sometimes there are trails, sometimes not, sometimes they create a quicksand effect, but you always have to drive slow and cautiously on a motorcycle. Plus, it was so dusty, at times I had to slow to a crawl. We were headed out to place that we could have a clinic for a day. I think it was a French run church. Not really sure of the particulars, except they agreed and we are doing it for a day. They will provide lunch and let the community know to come that day. It took about an hour to get there, and on the way I gave a woman a ride, just her and I on a dusty road with land mines everywhere. I was a little nervous, but getting the hang of driving a motorcycle in Haiti. Most people have entire families on their bikes.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
Today was a most excellent day. I met Evens and Zico out on the main road at nine. They thought one of them was going to drive my motorcycle, HELL no. We headed west toward the beach for a few miles then headed north on a dirt road. The road was like a river bottom full of softball-sized round rocks. Sometimes there are trails, sometimes not, sometimes they create a quicksand effect, but you always have to drive slow and cautiously on a motorcycle. Plus, it was so dusty, at times I had to slow to a crawl. We were headed out to place that we could have a clinic for a day. I think it was a French run church. Not really sure of the particulars, except they agreed and we are doing it for a day. They will provide lunch and let the community know to come that day. It took about an hour to get there, and on the way I gave a woman a ride, just her and I on a dusty road with land mines everywhere. I was a little nervous, but getting the hang of driving a motorcycle in Haiti. Most people have entire families on their bikes.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.
Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.
We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European.http://www.facebook.com/ We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.
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